By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
A PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party MP yesterday lashed out at his own party over its handling of the crimewave which has overtaken communities in the country.
Gregory Moss, the Marco City MP who was last year terminated by Prime Minister Perry Christie as NIB’s Chairman, said he was appalled that Parliamentarians were not displaying a sense of outrage with the illegal activity taking place.
For more than 13 minutes, Mr Moss railed about the government’s failure to deal with pressing concerns as it stands four months short of two years in power. At one point Mr Moss had an exchange with seated PLP MPs who argued that the government was taking the crime situation seriously.
His other concerns included the controversial Value Added Tax Bill and the Gaming legislation both of which he said he will not support. Mr Moss urged the government to bring both matters to the House for debate.
He said: “What concerns me we ended 2013 with 120 murders - that concerns me (and) we started 2014 with four murders and seven attempted murders. I don’t sense the outrage that I think we should have in this House. I am sick of playing politics, absolutely sick.
“Some of the people in this front bench sat in this House for five years and watched the crime rate and did nothing about it. And right now we are sitting in a crisis an absolute crisis. What must happen? Must the crisis come to our doorstep before we take it serious? Must it really?
“The only entity in this country that can execute and end the rivalry and bring finality regarding crime is the State itself. What we have going on in his country is random tit for tat. ‘I shoot you, you shoot me back.’ ‘I am going to court you are the witness, ‘I am going to knock you off.’ We know it’s happening. Why are we not outraged by it?
“At the end of the day, this polite approach we are taking to law enforcement where we are blaming the police and blaming the courts, failing to pass the proper laws and failing to put in place the proper restrictions that need to be put in place to avoid all of theses delays to avoid all of these excuses (has to stop).”
Prime Minister Perry Christie said he could not understand how Mr Moss could insist that crime was not a priority for the government.
He said: “With respect to crime - that is the highest priority of the country. I have indicated that I have done 16 minutes of taping in terms of my views on crime. My views on the police and the strategy that the police should be adopting it’s a comprehensive approach but we are governed by a Parliamentary agenda.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 10 months ago
Ah well Greg knows this is his last three years in the PLP. So he don't care no mo. And god willing this will also be his last three years in Politics...
carlh57 10 years, 10 months ago
unfortunately nothing will change until something happens to a loved one or one of these politicians...then maybe, just maybe they will wake up from their long sleep....(they are all like rip van winkle)...sleeping away their life and the countries soul...
B_I_D___ 10 years, 10 months ago
The silly part about that is the DPM himself was looking down the barrel of a gun...and is shrugging it off saying it was no big deal...THAT is what we have to deal with. Maybe they should have shot his wife, or some other member of the household (god forbid) and he would be singing a tune. I sympathize with Moss' statements, the people in power to make changes simply are not, they are doing it lip service, and even that, they are not doing very well at.
jackbnimble 10 years, 10 months ago
Cann57. It has happened. Cleola Hamilton had a brother murdered. Bran McCartney (although no longer in the house) had a brother murdered and the DPM was held up at gun point. Rip Van Winkle been wake. I guess he must be sleep walking.
booga13 10 years, 10 months ago
God willing he will remain in Politics for a long time. Its persons like him that we need in politics to take this country where it needs to be desperately. God Bless Mr. Moss!
TheMadHatter 10 years, 10 months ago
To get them like that though, we need a Constitutional Amendment to only allow MPs (including the PM who is actually just an MP) to only serve ONE time in Parliament during their lifetime. You can never be an MP again every - even 30 years later.
They get ONE chance to show their true colours. They can get something done - or go down in history as just another flunkie sucking off the people's treasury.
TheMadHatter
xtreme2x 10 years, 10 months ago
AMEN...BRO.
bnewbold 10 years, 10 months ago
The PLP blame the FNM for crime, now the PLP in power they have not done squat. Speak out Mr. Moss, speak out. Leslie Miller spoke out. You PLP's hate the facts that people speak out and then make statements this Moss last term. It might be his last with the PLP, but not his last in Government
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
Yes, Comrade Gregory Moss, the Marco City MP its hard not be considered one of the boys. I had always wondered how low could this fired National Insurance Board "visionary" Chairman be prepared to go at sugar-coating his very own leadership defects, but I need not wonder anymore. What about looking in ya own mirror? Can I be faulted for thinking that just maybe Comrade Gregory may be creating controversy around a prime minister who snatched away he well paid government job, credit card and car? Not like I'd be heart-broken, if the red readers/bloggers wish to make up their own mind on this man's hidden objective.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 10 months ago
Whether Gregory Moss is sincere or not is not the question. The fact that he actually voiced these words in a place as important as the House of Assembly is commendable. This is a watershed moment and hopefully ALL of the MPS will follow suit.
Most MPs are not in touch with the crime situation. They either live our "East" or West", many behind gates or with security like the White House. The average citizen cannot afford such luxuries.
I agree with his sentiments and I urge ALL MPs to please stop playing politics and govern this country for the next TWO years. You can resume your political game in 2016.
jackbnimble 10 years, 10 months ago
I agree. Whatever his motive, at least someone had the balls to say what we are all thinking.
CFerguson 10 years, 10 months ago
Agreed SheepRunner. The issue of crime in the Bahamas needs to be addressed in the house whether it be . If PM Christie feels it is such a priority, then he need boast of what he and his cabinet are ACTIVELY doing to address it! These criminals have NO consequences ... just like spoiled children! Why haven't they implemented an expedited death penalty? As far as I am concerned the PLP must be "sleeping with the criminals". Why the law abiding citizens have to pay for the criminals, specifically murders/rapist, etc. up-keep (the jail/court system) is disgusting!
spoitier 10 years, 10 months ago
Those same things was going on under the FNM also, both parties must be sleeping with criminals.
campy 10 years, 10 months ago
It is interesting that I read the same story from the two dailies but to discover that both gave a different spin on the story.
The Guardian appeared more balanced in stating that Mr Moss chastised both parties for crime.
The Tribune on the other hand by the caption alone suggests that he only chastised his party.
Where is balanced and professional reporting? Both parties have blood on their hands and both are in the house debating nonsensical issues whilst "Rome" burns...
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
How can you so easily dismiss a reasonably perceived motive behind Comrade Gregory's criticism. Is it reasonable to have nothing all to do when determining its validity. Those who get fired have to expect that they will be viewed to criticize more over what happened to them than on sincerity. The reds love it, when a Comrade PLP Gregory or a Potcake comes knocking at their door, even if they know their motive is weak. Who said the reds had to respect them?
banker 10 years, 10 months ago
Has he no shame? Where is the vomit-swimming when it is needed? Doesn't he know that once you join the PLP you have to take the vow of 'omerta'? Is he better than Perry Gladstone Christie who gladly swims through vomit to get back into the good graces of the PLP?
What is this world coming too? Back in the day, Ping would have taken him into the bushes, bent him over and they would both come out pals forever. Man this young generation needs to be taught some manners. He had a shot at making himself rich at the NIB, so now he should go quietly into the sunset and buy a go-fast for those night trips to Miami. Man, you can't take the Over-The-Hill out of some people once they are over the hill!
Greentea 10 years, 10 months ago
I commend Mr. Moss. Cargill would still be at NIB if it wasn't for him and though I actually think Cargill did some good things, he was also corrupt and needed to go. IMO Moss was fired because Mr. Gibson - who the PM was communicating with - (and not Mr. Moss) didnt tell the PM the full story and the PM misspoke publicly on the credit card thing based on what Mr. Gibson told him. To defend himself, Moss refuted him. Politically perhaps he should have taken the sword and not said anything- but I dont think Moss is much of a yes man in the way we have become used to in our politics and for that alone I wish him the best. I always thought Gibson should have been the one fired on principle- not Moss. Remember the audit showed he did nothing wrong. Unfortunately Gibson has proven to be able to win his seat no matter the controversy and that matters more than principles and facts in politics. I agree with Sheeprunner and Newbold above. Happy to see him- waiting to hear what he says when they bring this VAT and Gambling discussions up. Sounds like i agree with him- but maybe for different reasons.
Puzzled 10 years, 10 months ago
Mr Moss knows full well that his leader has been really busy over the past 20 months on the important affairs of state. These involve regaining 2 percent of BTC which the country cannot afford, Sorting out the numbers shops, the road fiasco left by the FNM, a new public holiday and establishing a carnival in the summer to rival Trinidad, New Orleans and Rio. Give him a break, he has not had time to look at the crime problem because he also had to take his buddies to visit the Pope.
nassaudaddy 10 years, 10 months ago
Mr. Moss is no better than the rest of the knuckleheads in Parliament. He fired Mr. Cargill on the instructions of "Shame" Gibson who's the biggest thief of all of them. His first term in office saw him with an immense bank account and the Anna scandal should have put and end to his political career. Yet they now put him in charge of NIB where they are bulging at the seams with cash. It's like putting the fox to guard the hen house. Mr. Cargill was fired because he fired one of Shane Gibson's personal friends who he rehired after she got a huge bonus and termination package. Now who's the corrupt one there. All of them needs to be in Jail including Greg Moss who abused the NIB credit card for his own personal gain,and who instructed that he be given all of the package he received from Mr. Cargill even though no other Chairman had ever received those perks.
SP 10 years, 10 months ago
Mr. Moss has joined Leslie Miller in taking the high road distancing him from the inadequate jokey and unacceptable response by Christie and his jelly belly M.P. followers on the crime issue.
It doesn't take a genius to look back at recent history with the FNM when Hubert Ingraham led his group of dumb jelly belly M.P.'s to their political graves by ignoring issues of great national importance.
At the end of the day in the upcoming 2017 general elections, all the wutless M.P.s' standing silently by Christie now while murder and mayhem destroy countless families and the country at large better understand that history will repeat itself at the polls……Similar to the FNM early years…The people are ready NOW!
Christie and Ingraham are proven failures. Dinosaurs stuck in 1967 totally incapable of comprehending the 21st Century and could never begin to prepare our country and people for the 22nd Century.
Under their leadership the country quickly deteriorated from one of the wealthiest with the proudest people in the hemisphere to our people becoming 3rd class citizens, begging for $1.00 in the streets and the laughing stock of the region.
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
Comrade Nassau Daddy wanna make sure I get the spelling of your name right cause you have just been awarded "Comedian of the Week." Could there possibly be a PLP more "antique" than Comrade "Potcake" Leslie. He'd fit right in over at that antiquities place, Courtney Strachan keeps them old Muskets locked away from the Valley Boys Junkanoo group arming themselves with. He loaded shotgun is probably as aged as them Muskets.
bigbadbob 10 years, 10 months ago
did not moss be found guilty in taking 600k from a client me thinks the crook is doing the complaining .
Stapedius 10 years, 10 months ago
He is obviously still wounded. His rant has nothing to do with his overwhelming concern about crime or the VAT bill. Mr. Moss is still nursing wounds he feels were inflicted by his own party. But politics is a funny business, and if one is going to progress in it there is no time to be focused on the past. The NIB scandal was quite a mess and all parties suffered some public humiliation. Mr. Moss is a politician and as a politician he is exposed to criticism at all times. My advice is to move on. If you don't think the party or politics is what you want anymore then simply move on. You are not the first person to feel the pinch of politics and you certainly won't be the last. But this constant wasting of Parliamentary time complaining about how your party colleagues didn't support you is annoying. Not only is it annoying, but its none of the public's business. Save your party politics for the PLP convention. Stop wasting time in the House whining over internal PLP matters.
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
Don't ya be seeking no refuge at the PM's door, if you give him reason to confuse ya with his political enemies. Not all enemies openly wear da colour red.
banker 10 years, 10 months ago
On your dying day, when your angels of mercy come to take you to Pearly Gates and the altar of judgement, the Recording Angel will open the book and there will be a voluminous Russell chapter. With a roar of thunder not heard even through the apocalypse, the voice of the judge will reverberate through the firmaments and proclaim:
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
Cute but let's not be so forgetful, for back in 2012 Bahamalanders used their brains to mina (count) the failures of your reds and when they sheled (weighed) the punishment due on harm caused and peresed (divided) it by 15 years in power, they sent your party into opposition for da rest of they political eternity.
Glory be God for God is fair!
banker 10 years, 10 months ago
oxymoron
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